Migraines are far more than just headaches; they are intense, recurring neurological pains that can dramatically affect your daily life. And in Singapore, these intense headaches are a significant health concern, affecting around 10% of the population, according to The Straits Times. These episodes are often characterised by pulsating pain on one side of the head and can last from a few hours to three days.
Accompanying symptoms like sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and even vomiting make migraines more than just a simple nuisance.
In 2018 alone, migraines were estimated to cost Singapore S$1.04 billion, with the vast majority of these costs arising from lost productivity, while healthcare expenses also represent a substantial burden, according to a DUKE-NUS Medical School study.
So, what exactly triggers these debilitating headaches, and how can Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offer relief?
Migraine Headaches: Understanding the Pounding Pain
Navigating through migraine headaches can often feel like treading through a storm, making it important to understand the underlying reasons for these excruciating pains.
What is a Migraine?
As mentioned, a migraine is a complex neurological condition that presents as a severe, throbbing pain often felt on one side of the head. Typically, migraines start in adolescence and reach their highest intensity in a person’s 30s, often improving with age.
Migraines also tend to be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light, and sometimes visual disturbances. This condition is not a symptom of another issue but a distinct medical disorder indicating a heightened sensitivity to environmental and physiological triggers.
What Are the Types of Migraines?
Migraines manifest in various forms, each with unique characteristics:
- Migraine with aura: Known as the classic migraine, this type involves visual disturbances before the onset of head pain.
- Migraine without aura: More common and occurring without the preliminary visual signs.
- Chronic migraine: Refers to headaches occurring on 15 or more days a month.
- Menstrual migraine: Triggered by hormonal changes and usually occurring around the time of a menstrual period.
- Hemiplegic migraine: A rare type that involves temporary paralysis on one side of the body.
- Silent migraine: Characterised by aura symptoms without the headache phase.
Each type of migraine may require a different approach to management, reflecting the complexity of this debilitating condition.
Symptoms and Causes: Decoding the Migraine Mystery
Understanding migraines also requires acknowledging their complexity. After all, these are not just headaches but a series of phases, each with its own set of challenges.
What Are the Phases of a Migraine?
Migraines typically unfold in four distinct stages, each contributing differently to the overall experience.
1. Prodrome Symptoms
The prodrome phase, often termed the “pre-headache” stage, can start a day or two before the migraine itself. Signs that a migraine is on its way include:
- Unusual cravings
- Stiffness in the neck
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Mood swings, ranging from depression to euphoria
- Increased need to urinate
- Trouble sleeping
2. Aura Symptoms
The aura stage involves sensory disturbances that serve as a stark prelude to the headache. Auras are diverse and can affect vision, sensation, and speech. Typical aura symptoms include:
- Flashing lights, zigzag lines, or blind spots in vision
- Numbness, often felt as tingling in the hands or face
- Difficulty speaking clearly
- Temporary vision loss or changes
- Hearing noises or music
Auras are short-lived, usually lasting from a few minutes to an hour, and may overlap with the headache phase.
3. Headache Attack Symptoms
The attack phase is what most people identify as a migraine. During this attack, you might experience:
- Sharp, pulsating pain, often localised to one side of the head
- Sensitivity to light, sounds, and sometimes smells and touch
- Nausea and vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Lightheadedness, sometimes followed by fainting
The duration of this attack can vary greatly, but they typically last from a few hours to three days.
4. Postdrome Symptoms
Following the peak of the migraine, the postdrome phase can feel much like recovering from a severe bout of flu. Symptoms include:
- Fatigue and body weakness
- Dizziness and confusion
- Mood changes, from depression to unwarranted euphoria
- Sensitivity to light and sound
This final phase can last a couple of days, leaving individuals feeling washed out and exhausted as they recover.
What Does a Migraine Feel Like?
As mentioned, migraine pain is often described as a deep, throbbing sensation that starts on one side of the head and can spread to other areas. In fact, it commonly affects the area around the temples, eyes, or back of the head and can extend to the face, sinuses, jaw, or even neck.
And when it comes to how it feels, it cannot be compared to a mere headache. This is because the pain associated with a migraine can be so severe it feels like your head is pulsating.
How Often Do Migraines Happen?
Migraines vary greatly in frequency among individuals. For instance, some may experience a migraine rarely, perhaps once a year, while others may suffer through these intense headaches several times a month.
Typically, migraines occur most frequently in the morning. Although largely unpredictable, certain patterns such as hormonal changes or stress might hint at their onset.
What Causes a Migraine?
So, what exactly triggers that excruciating migraine pain?
While the precise cause of migraines remains somewhat elusive, it’s thought that genetics may have a huge role in this, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Migraines involve specific nerve pathways and chemicals in the brain that change, causing inflammation and pain. This complex process involves the release of substances around the nerves and blood vessels in the head, but why this happens is still not fully understood.
What Triggers a Migraine?
Migraine triggers are varied and personal. This basically means that what affects one person may not affect another. Commonly reported triggers include:
- Stress: A major factor that can provoke migraines.
- Hormonal Changes: Particularly in women, fluctuations in oestrogen can trigger headaches.
- Dietary Triggers: Certain foods and additives, such as aged cheeses, alcohol, and caffeine, can initiate attacks.
- Environmental Triggers: Bright lights, loud noises, and strong smells can all lead to a migraine.
- Physical Factors: Overexertion or changes in sleep patterns may also bring on a migraine.
- Medications: Some prescription drugs might exacerbate migraine frequency.
TCM Perspective: Chinese Medicine Headaches
TCM views headaches, including migraines, through a holistic lens, emphasising the interconnectedness of body systems. As such, in TCM, migraines are often seen as a disruption in the flow of Qi and blood within the meridians, which are the pathways through which life energy flows.
Different Types of Headaches in TCM
Migraines and headaches in TCM are categorised based on the underlying imbalances and the channels affected. The different types, according to TCM, include:
- Taiyang Headache: Often related to external cold influencing the body. Symptoms may include a sensation of cold, tightness, and pain in the neck and shoulders, often relieved by warmth.
- Shaoyang Headache: Characterised by a throbbing pain on the sides of the head, possibly with a feeling of bitterness in the mouth and dizziness. It reflects an imbalance between the internal and external factors affecting the body.
- Yangming and Taiyin Headache: Presents with a dull, heavy feeling in the front of the head, sometimes paired with mental fog. These headaches, influenced by sinus issues or dehydration, can also provoke abdominal discomfort.
- Shaoyin Headache: Deep, dull, and often severe headaches that manifest deeply within the skull. This type is typically paired with extreme fatigue, excessive sleep, or insomnia, indicating severe depletion of energy. Those suffering from these headaches often feel overwhelmingly drained, a sign of pushing past their physical limits for extended periods.
- Jueyin Headache: Jueyin headaches typically manifest as a dull pain at the top or sides of the head, often lacking the intense throbbing characteristic of other types. These headaches, linked to blood deficiency, may also exhibit symptoms like nausea and stabbing pain, mimicking Shaoyang types but are rooted in Jueyin conditions.
Root Causes of Migraines in TCM
In TCM, the root causes of migraines are often traced back to both external and internal factors, each affecting the body’s harmony and Qi flow:
- Wind Invasion: External factors like Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold disrupt the flow of Qi and blood, often leading to migraines.
- Excessive Liver Yang: An overactive Liver can lead to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and irritability.
- Qi and Blood Deficiency: A deficiency in these vital substances can cause slow-onset headaches with a sensation of heaviness and fatigue.
- Blood Stagnation: Sharp, localised pain in the head may be linked to past injuries or circulatory issues.
Management and Treatment: Finding Relief
When it comes to managing headaches and migraines, there are two main approaches: conventional medical treatments and complementary Traditional Chinese Medicine methods.
Both can be pivotal in controlling this debilitating condition.
How is a Migraine Medically Treated?
Although there is currently no cure for migraines, through medication and lifestyle adjustments, it can be managed.
- Medications to stop migraines: These are taken at the onset of symptoms to alleviate pain and other symptoms like nausea and light sensitivity.
- Preventive medications: Daily medication can help reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. This includes options like Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers.
TCM for Migraines
TCM offers a variety of approaches that focus on restoring balance and flow within the body to manage migraine symptoms:
- Acupuncture: This technique involves inserting needles at specific body points to promote energy flow and alleviate pain. It’s particularly useful during the aforementioned attack phase of a migraine.
- Tui Na: This therapeutic form of massage focuses on acupressure points to relieve symptoms. It’s effective for those preferring a non-invasive approach and can help prevent future episodes.
- Gua Sha: Often used alongside acupuncture or Tui Na, this technique involves the use of a smooth-edged tool that can help improve circulation and relieve muscle tension.
- Herbal Medication: Personalised herbal formulas are used to address the underlying imbalances that contribute to migraines, offering relief during and between migraine episodes.
Exploring both traditional and TCM provides a comprehensive approach to managing migraines and headaches, which can be life-altering. For those in Singapore looking to integrate these methods, especially for recurrent issues like migraines or even dry cough, consulting with a TCM practitioner could help.
Are you ready to explore how TCM for migraines or TCM for dry cough can bring relief to your life?
